[Verse]
The 25th of September, in the year '83,
From the cages of Long Kesh, thirty eight men ran free,
"Batch, oh" said the governor, "You all must decree,
If they had been English they'd have stayed for their tea.

[Chorus]
Oh, will they ever learn? No, they never will learn,
And one thing you can be sure,
Well this time thirty eight went right of the gate,
But the next time they'll be more.

[Verse]
Now the governor was angry and he made it quite clear,
Who gave them permission to drive out of here,
They will get into trouble if their stopped, can't they see,
The van they are driving has no PSV.

[Chorus]
Oh, will they ever learn? No, they never will learn,
And one thing you can be sure,
Well this time thirty eight went right of the gate,
But the next time they'll be more.

[Verse]
And poor Mr. Prior cannot show his face,
For Margaret Thatcher thinks it's a disgrace,
It's bad enough Provos all over the place,
But thirty eight dinners have all gone to waste.

[Chorus]
Will they ever learn? No, they never will learn,
And one thing you can be sure,
Well this time thirty eight went right of the gate,
But the next time they'll be more.

[Verse]
Well now the police and the army don't know what to do,
They searched and they searched till their faces went blue,
But don't worry lads if you can't find a clue,
If you get the sack you can sign on the brew.

[Chorus]
Oh, will they ever learn? No, they never will learn,
And one thing you can be sure,
Well this time thirty eight went right of the gate,
But the next time they'll be more.

[Chorus]
Oh, will they ever learn? No, they never will learn,
And one thing you can be sure,
Well this time thirty eight went right of the gate,
But the next time they'll be more,
Oh, but the next time they'll be more.